Man Stabs Security Guard In Hate Crime: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — A private security guard for a building was stabbed in the abdomen during an apparent hate crime last weekend. James Hammerand, 63, of the 800 block of S. Des Plaines River Road, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery and one felony count of a hate crime.

He was released following his June 15 arrest. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charges.

Police responded to the 800 block of Des Plaines River Road at 2:40 a.m. last Saturday for a report of a person being stabbed in the building. Officers learned the security guard of the building had been attacked by a man wearing a black and white flannel shirt and shorts, later identified as Hammerand.

Police soon found Hammerand westbound on Prairie Avenue from Des Plaines River Road, carrying a yellow box cutter in his hand. He was stopped by police and taken into custody.

When meeting with the victim, they saw a cut to his abdomen and the Des Plaines Fire Department assisted him. It was determined he had suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was released at the scene.

The victim positively identified Hammerand and said that when they were entering the elevator together, he tried to punch him. According to police, the victim dodged the punch before Hammerand made a racial slur toward him.

The victim reported feeling he was hit in the abdomen as the elevator doors opened and Hammerand exited toward the garage. After seeing his shirt ripped, the victim realized he had been cut by a sharp object.